By Betsy Turner
The American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia held its annual fall workshop Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Hilton Garden Inn, Clarksburg. Auxiliary members represented West Virginia’s 63 Auxiliary Units from its 6 Districts.
The session began with welcoming remarks from Department President, Debbie Michael followed by the opening prayer, the “Pledge of Allegiance”, the “Star Spangled Banner” and the “Preamble to the American Legion Auxiliary Constitution” and “Mission Statement”. The POW/MIA Ceremony was conducted by Department Chaplain, Stephanie Handley.
Department President Debbie Michael spoke to the ladies about her theme for the 2023-2024 Auxiliary Year, “With Love and Gratitude–We Support Our Military & Honor Our Veterans”. Her membership theme is, “Let’s Be Patriotic (Stars & Stripes)” and her special project is West Virginia’s American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State held at Davis and Elkins College each June. The colors for the year are red, white, and blue while the president’s flower is the Rose and her song is “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood.
Each department chairman (Membership, Chaplain, Historian, Americanism, Auxiliary Emergency Fund, Children and Youth, Legislative, Education, Community Service, Rhododendron Girls State, Poppy, Juniors Activities, National Security and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Scrapbook and Public Relations) spoke regarding their expectations and upcoming plans for the 2023-2024 Auxiliary Year.
Attendees were reminded to think of membership as a team effort for our department. Some units struggle and some flourish. On the department level, those units who flourish will be helping the department reach goal (4,839 members state-wide). “Let’s be the one” to help each other, our Military/ Veterans and our community in any way we can.
After a question-and-answer period, the day concluded with a purse auction named in honor of Past Department President, Betty Rea, with the proceeds going to President Debbie’s special project, American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State (West Virginia).